Threaded Electrical Insulator Self-Cleaning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical insulators face challenges in maintaining cleanliness, especially in highly polluted environments, where dust and debris accumulation can lead to performance degradation and electrical issues.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical electrical insulator with a thread-shaped surface and a brush system, where the insulator is rotated by a motor while the brush moves along the thread to scrape off deposited particles, utilizing a dielectric material and a supporting element to ensure effective cleaning, with optional features like convex scrapers and wire brushes for enhanced dust removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the insulator surface is made smooth and simple, then manufacturing is easier, but dust and debris accumulation occurs leading to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator surface is segmented into a thread-shaped structure with multiple grooves and ridges. This segmentation creates a textured surface that prevents dust accumulation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard threading processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulator surface is given a specific local quality through the thread-shaped pattern, where the grooves and ridges provide localized dust-trapping zones. This local texturing improves performance in polluted environments without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
2Reliability
If a cleaning mechanism is added to the insulator, then dust removal effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator is equipped with a self-service cleaning mechanism where a brush automatically cleans the thread-shaped surface during rotation. The brush is positioned to contact the threads and remove dust automatically, eliminating the need for external cleaning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is merged with the insulator structure itself by integrating the brush mechanism directly onto the insulator body. This combination allows the insulator to clean itself during operation without requiring separate cleaning equipment.
3Area of stationary object
If the brush is made to rotate with the insulator, then cleaning coverage increases, but the brush cannot effectively scrape particles
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the brush with the insulator, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the brush stationary while the insulator rotates. This allows the brush to effectively scrape particles from the moving thread surface without being carried along by the rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system uses differential motion where the insulator rotates dynamically while the brush remains stationary. This dynamic arrangement allows the brush to maintain contact with the rotating thread surface and effectively scrape particles while covering the entire insulator area.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures easy and effective cleaning of the insulator surface, maintaining its electrical integrity and performance even in highly polluted conditions by allowing for simple removal of collected particles, thus ensuring reliable operation of dust removal devices.
Implementation Method 1
The brush moving along the insulator scrapes off the dust from its surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrical insulator (1) of cylindrical shape with a thread-shaped surface (2), a brush (3), a motor (4) and a supporting element (6). The present invention also relates to a method of cleaning the insulator, as defined in claim 1, wherein the insulator (1), which has a thread-shaped surface (2) driven by the motor (4) rotates around its axis, and the brush (3) attached to the insulator (1) moves along the insulator, causing removal of particles deposited on the insulator (1).